Feb 9, 2024
Some piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) and American searocket (Cakile edentula), a native annual that provides the birds with shade, protection from the wind, and attracts a smorgasbord of insects for them to eat.
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Some piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) and American searocket (Cakile edentula), a native annual that provides the birds with shade, protection from the wind, and attracts a smorgasbord of insects for them to eat.
From @sassiecat, Hope Sound, Florida, USA: “I grew up with a passion for animals and knew I was going to spend my life some way or another working with them. The sanctuary I work at now, I went to all their summer camps, junior naturalist programs, and volunteered all I could while growing up. When I graduated college and moved back home, my first 'real' job was here at the sanctuary. I started as a keeper because we are home to about 200 permanent animals. They are all permanently impaired in some way and cannot be released back into the wild, so they will live their lives out here. We have everything, from blue jays, birds of prey, foxes, alligators, to bears and panthers. I worked my way through the levels and found my way into our animal hospital. This is where I found my passion for wildlife rehabilitation. One of my favorite cases was a kestrel we got in with a fractured wing. We did surgery to pin the wing and lots of physical therapy on him, and eventually we could release him. I set him free near my house and still hear a kestrel every winter — I like to believe it is him. I left for about a year and half, and worked at another wildlife rehab facility nearby where I obtained my wildlife rehabilitators’ license and gained more experience. I came back to Busch Wildlife about 5 months ago now, and work as their Volunteer Coordinator. It's a little more of a managerial position, but still get to be involved with the animals. Recently my love of birds of prey sparked a new journey, and I just obtained my falconry license. I even have my very own red-tailed hawk now, named Blaze.”
Tomado de: sirinthada.com
Wood duck (Aix sponsa)! The common name comes from the fact that they are one of the few waterfowl species that perch and nest in trees—strong claws allow them to grip bark and maneuver into tree cavities!
The American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) is one of the few American songbirds that can nest in both alpine meadows and Arctic tundra! It’s sparrow-sized, but with a slimmer bill, brownish or gray above, and usually some streaks on the breast and side. A bit of a pale eye ring and eyebrow too. They feed on insects, and can be found in open areas or foraging along the shores of lakes and rivers.
A mama ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) feeding her babies! Their nests couldn’t be any more enchanting—the daintiest cup of grass, gossamer threads, and caterpillar silk, lined with dandelion down. Oftentimes the outside is camouflaged with sequin-sized bits of lichen and scales from plant buds.
Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, bountiful new year! 💓 This one is inspired by the Rocky Mountains, and features: a broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus); Indian paintbrush (genus Castilleja); alpine sunflower (Hymenoxys grandiflora); alpine clover (Trifolium dasyphyllum); and Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia caerulea). Cheers to 2024–let the next adventure begin!